Boot or shoe



Patented Dec. 2, 1930 PATENT QFFICE PAUL O. WOLFE-B, OF EVERETT,MASSACHUSETTS BOOT OR SHOE Original application filed. July 11, 1927,Serial No. 204,727. Divided and this application filed December 30,1927. Serial No. 243,691.

My present invention relates to boots or shoes, and more particularly toan improved shoe designed to support and correct the foot of the wearer,and the present application 5 is a divisional of my prior and copendingapplication Ser. No. 204,727, filed July 11, 1927, which has maturedinto United States Patent 1,693,535 hearing date November 27, 1928.

An important object of the present invention ,is the provision of a shoewhich will maintain normal feet in their normal condition and whichwill, at the same time, give the necessary support and correction tofeet which are in need of such support and correction.

I utilize, in manufacturing my present shoe, the novel last illustratedand described in my copending application Ser. No. 204,231, filed July8, 1927, for which United States Patent 1,688,065, October 16, 1928, hasissued, which last is essential in the production of my present novelshoe.

In carrying out my present invention, and constructing my novel shoe, Iutilize and combine many advantageous features therein, all of whichfeatures cooperate to produce a scientifically designed and proper shoe.Thus I provide a shoe with a cupped heel seat in which I fit a cushiondesigned for compressibility to a proper plane or level which willsupport the heel of the wearer at just the right position to cooperatewith the supporting cushion of a metatarsal arch support for the forepart of the foot, the latter being either substantially rigid orslightly yielding also. Thereby I produce a well balanced scientificallydesi ed shoe structure.

To produce the desirable shoe, 1 provide, on the inner bottom surfacethereof, a pair of pockets, created by apexes designed therefor on thelast. These pockets are arranged to coincide with the position of theinner and outer balls of the feet of the wearer, and between the pocketsIprovide a metatarsal arch support, the pockets being on a diagonal linein the shoe. Provision for this metatarsal arch support is made in theconstruction of the last of said copending application, wherein adepression is formed between the apexes of the last, and the insole isbeaten into and around this depression, permitting the apexes to formthe above mentioned pockets, and providing, on the insole, a raisedportion or matatarsal arch support. I may, if desired, utilize a shankstifi'ener with an arch supporting portion which will accentuate themetatarsal arch supporting portion of the shoe. By providing thesepockets, adjacent the metatarsal arch supporting portion, the vamp lineat the throat of the shoe is eased, allowing an easy and natural breakbetween the toe and ball.

In order to provide for the longitudinal arch of the foot of the wearer,I cut the entire inside arch of the last quite deep, particularly justin back of the ball. This deep cut arch of the last is accented in theconstruction of the shoe, and results in the natural sup ort ofthe'entire longitudinal arch of the oot. The shoe is also provided withincreased fullness at the cuboid portion, thus allowing the foot to restin a broad depression in the shoe, forcing the arch into the propercurved position. This shoe construction insures against gaping of thesides and slippage of the heel.

The width of the tread of the shoe is designed to comfortably containthe toes and ball of the foot, while in no way detracting from theappearance of the footwear. The roll on the toe of the shoe is a verydistinctive feature, and permits accommodation of the toes in acomfortable manner. This roll of the shoe terminates at the great toe,where it recedes, resulting in a forepart of attractive appearance andpronounced style and character.

The back of the shoe, or heel curve, is so pitched that there will be nochafing on the heel cord, and the entire heel will be seated uniformlywithout undue pressure in or on any one place. I

A further and very important feature of the present invention is theparticular construction of the heel seat of the shoe. Due to thepeculiar construction of my novel last of said copending application,the resulting shoe is made with a deeply cupped heel seat, thusproviding room for a heel rest. This heel rest and deeply cupped heelseat not only allow the fleshy part of the heel to fill out the entiresurface of the heel seat, but also allows the heel to rest comfortablyand in a normal position on the heel rest, thus assuring a positive andcomfortably fitting heel.

Thus the heel and ball-tread is so balanced that throwing of the footinto an abnormal position is eliminated, and the interior of the shoe isshaped to conform to the anatomy of the foot.

I believe that my present shoe, above briefly described, is novel, and Ihave therefore claimed the same broadly herein.

The above and further features of the invention, novel combinations ofparts, advantages and details of construction, will be hereinafter morefully pointed out and claimed.

Referring to the drawings, illustrating a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my novel shoe;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the shoe;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view on the line 44 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional View on the line 66 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view on the line 77 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the heel rest;

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 99 of Fig. 8; and

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view on the line 1010 of Fig. 8.

As shown in the drawings, my present novel shoe has upper materialsdesignated generally at 1, an insole 2, outsole 3, and heel 4. The shoeis preferably manufactured on the novel last described and illustratedin my United States Patent 1,688,065 previously referred to, and theinsole 2 and shoe upper materials 1 are assembled on and formed to fitsaid last. Due to the construction of the last, a pair of pockets 5 and6 are formed on a diagonal line across the inner shoe bottom, into whichpockets the inner and outer balls of the foot fit. This positioning ofthe balls of the foot eases the vamp line at the.

throat of the shoe, and allows an easy and natural break between the toeand ball of the foot. A raised portion 7 is formed on the insole of theshoe, created by a depression in the last between the apexesrepresenting the inner and outer balls of the foot, and this surfaceacts as a metatarsal arch support. This arch support is accentuated andmaintained by the use of a shank stiffener 8 having an ached portion 9adapted to fit under the raised portion 7 to maintain same constantly inraised position. This arch stiffener 8 terminates at the raised portion,and does not interfere with the flexibility of the forepart of the shoe.A suitable shoe bottom filler 10 is applied around the shank stiffener 8and in the depression at the forepart caused by the upper materials 1and welt 11, as Well as at the heel portion at the rear of the shankstiffener 8. The outsole 3 is united to the welt 11 by through andthrough stitching 12, the upper materials 1 and welt 11, as Well asinsole 2, being united by usual stitching 13.

The inside or longitudinal arch 14 of the shoe is formed quite deep,particularly just in back of the ball of the foot, as at 15, and extendssubstantially to the rear of the heel. This results in a long andnatural sup ort for the entire longitudinal arch of the oot, the shankstiffener 8 givin the necessary un der support to this arch 0 the foot.

The shoe is formed wide at the portion 16 which accommodates the cuboidbone of the foot, allowing the foot to rest in a broad depression andallowing the high inside curve to force the longitudinal arch into acurved position, where it will be maintained due to the special andscientific construction of the present shoe. Gaping of the sides andslippage at the heel will also be eliminated by this construction.

The inner tread width is designed in such a manner that it willcomfortably contain the toes and ball of the foot while still presentinga neat and attractive appearance.

The roll on the toe, as shown at 17, is formed extremely full, so as toaccommodate the toes of the wearer in a comfortable manner and withoutcramping or distortion. This roll extends forwardly to the positionoccupied by the great toe, 'where it recedes, this feature also addingto the attractive appearance of the shoe.

The back or heel curve 18 is pitched in such a manner that it will causeno chafing on the heel cord, and the entire heel will be seateduniformly without undue pressure on any one place or part.

An important feature of the present shoe is the deeply cu ped heel seatand novel heel rest. As will e noted at 19 the heel seat cup is greatlyaccentuated, being formed on the last with this deep cut. In this mannerroom is provided for my novel heel rest, clearly illustrated in Figs. 8,9 and 10, and which adds greatly to the comfort and the orthopedicqualities of this novel shoe.

This heel rest com rises a cushioning member 20, preferably of spongerubber, and being convex on each surface. The cushion tapers down towardthe front or breast portion 21 so that it will not extend beyond the cupof the heel seat to any appreciable extent. Over the cushion 20 isplaced a layer 22 of any suitable or desirable material, preferablycork, which is secured or adhered to the cushion 20 by suitableadhesive. To the cork layer 22 is adhered a sock lining or layer 23,extending from the rear of the heel seat to the forward part of theshank of the shoe, as

is usual, The cork layer 22 serves as an inmetatarsal arch supportingstructure and "'sulating and moisture-proofing material, andconstituting a permanent portion of the shoe.

prevents the moisture or warmth from the I In testimony whereof, I havesigned my wearers foot from deteriorating or rotting name to thisspecification.

the material of which the cushion 20 is composed. By havin the heel restso convex, the under side of t e same will fit in the deep heel cupprovided therefor, and the upper surface will retain its convex orrounded shape until the weight of the wearer is exerted thereon,whereupon the cushion or sponge rubber 20 will permit the heel rest to've, and properly accommodate the heel o the wearer, distributing theweight equally over the heel seat, and providing a comfortable,resilient and satisfactory heel rest, by allowing the fleshy'part of theheel to fill out the entire surface of'the heel seat, and alsopermitting the-heel to rest comfortably and in a normal position on theheel rest. This assures a positive and comfortable fitting heel.

Thus it will be apparent that the heel and ball-tread is so balancedthat throwing of the foot into an abnormal position is eliminated, andit will be noted that the inner bottom of the shoe is shaped to conformto the anatomy of the foot.

My resent novel shoe is so specially and scienti cally designed andconstructed as to keep the correct balance between the arch and theheel, which, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, will bea great relief to the heel and spine of the wearer.

The cushion 20, cork layer 22 and sock lining 23 are preferably unitedor adhered together prior to insertion or application in the shoe, andare therefore apphedas a unit.

It will thus be seen that I have devised an extremely satisfactory andeflicient shoe, em

bodying many distinct and advantageous features, 'so cooperating as toproduce a healthful and comfortable shoe, and I have therefore claimedthis shoe broadly herein.

While I have necessarily described my present invention somewhat indetail, it will be appreciated that I may vary the size, shape andarrangement of parts within reasonably wide limits without departingfrom the spirit of the invention.

My invention is further described and defined in the form of claims asfollows:

In a shoe having an insole, an upper lasted thereto, an outsole, a shankstiffener interposed between said insole and outsole and permanentlyincorporated in the shoe structure, a yielding heel seat cushion, ametatarsal arch support positioned substantially centrally in the forepart of the shoe, said heel cushion, when compressed, constituting asupporting plane for the wearer, cooperating with the supporting bearingof the metatarsal arch support and the shank stiff-- enenextending fromthe heel cushion to said PAUL o. WOLFER.

